Container system

ABSTRACT

A container system including a base including a bottom surface and a wall arranged around a perimeter of the bottom surface. A lid configured to cover the base, and an insert removeably disposable in the base such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insert contacts the wall of the base. The insert including a first hole that extends through a top of the insert so as to define a first receptacle. The insert including a second hole that extends through the top of the insert proximate to an outside perimeter of the insert to define a second receptacle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/658,974, filed Apr. 17, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Containers exist for housing herb, medicinal, spice, cosmetic, food, household, or other types of products. Such containers usually consist of a housing and a cap. In various industries, containers are employed for storing pieces (e.g., torn, cut, shredded, ground, etc. pieces), powder, gel, creams, or lotions. In various industries, the containers may be used to keep the product fresh for long periods of time. For example, the cap of the containers may create a tight seal and keep a product fresh.

Typically, the containers may provide for housing product, but may not provide for housing other accessories associated with the product. For example, the containers may keep both product and accessories tightly sealed in the housing, but the accessories may be exposed to the product housed in the container and become contaminated, especially when travelling from one location to another until a time of use, resulting in a wasted amount of product and a mess for the user. Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for improved containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an illustrative container system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container system illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container system illustrated in FIG. 1 with an insert partially received in a base.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container system illustrated in FIG. 1 with the insert removeably received in the base such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insert contacts the wall of the base.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the insert, a first side view of the insert, and a second side view of the insert.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the insert, a side view of the insert, a top view of the insert, and a perspective bottom view of the insert.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of an insert, a first side view of the insert, and a second side view of the insert, and a top view of the insert.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a base, a side view of the base, and a top view of the base.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a lid, a side view of the lid, and a bottom view of the lid.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded top-perspective view, an exploded side-perspective view, and an exploded bottom-perspective view of another embodiment of a container system according to the instant disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded top-perspective view and an exploded side-perspective view of another embodiment of a container system according to the instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

In an embodiment this application is directed towards container systems with inserts that are removeably disposable in a base of the container systems such that when removeably disposed in the base, the insert interfaces with the base so as to (1) define a first receptacle for containing a product, and (2) define a second receptacle for containing an article. For example, a container system includes a base including a bottom surface and a wall arranged around a perimeter of the bottom surface, and a lid configured to cover the base. The container system includes an insert removeably disposable in the base such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insert contacts the wall of the base. Furthermore, a first hole extends through a top of the insert so as to define a first receptacle, and a second hole proximate to the exterior surface of the insert so as to define a second receptacle. When in a closed position, the lid provides a mechanical seal between the first receptacle and the second receptacle.

Another embodiment includes an improvement for a container system including a base and a lid. The improvement for the container system includes an insert removeably disposable in the base such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insert contacts a wall of the base. A hole extends through a top and a bottom of the insert, and when the insert is removeably disposed in the base, the hole interfaces with a bottom surface of the base so as to define a receptacle. The receptacle may contain a product.

In yet another embodiment, an improvement for a container system including a base and a lid is disclosed. The improvement for the container system includes an insert removeably disposable in the base such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insert contacts a wall of the base. A gap is positioned in the exterior surface of the insert, and when the insert is removeably disposed in the base, the gap interfaces with the wall of the base so as to define a receptacle. The receptacle may contain an article.

In yet another embodiment, a container system includes a base including a bottom surface and a wall arranged around a perimeter of the bottom surface, and a lid configured to cover the base. The base may include a sleeve fixed in the base. For example, the base may include a sleeve having an outside surface that is fastened to the interior surface of the base via a press-fit, interference fit, friction fit, an adhesive, etc. The sleeve may include a threaded portion that provides for threading the lid onto the base. The container system includes the insert removeably disposable in the base such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insert contacts the wall of the base. For example, the insert may be removeably disposable in the base such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insert contacts an inside surface of the sleeve, opposite the outside surface sleeve, fastened to the base. The lid may include a threaded insert fastened to an inside surface of the lid via a press-fit, interference fit, friction fit, an adhesive, etc. The threaded insert fastened to the inside of surface of the lid may provide for threadably fastening the lid to the base, such that when in a closed position the lid provides a mechanical seal between the first receptacle and the second receptacle.

By way of example and not limitation, container systems with a removeable insert described herein may be applied in many contexts and environments. For example, container systems with a removeable insert may be implemented for medicinal products, food products, herbs, spices, cosmetics and personal care industries, powdered cosmetic products, mineral products, carpet deodorizers, baking soda, and the like. For example, in various industries, container systems with a removeable insert may be employed for keeping a product fresh for long periods of time. In the medical and food industries, container systems with a removeable insert may be used to keep pieces of herbs fresh and separated from an article housed in the container system along with the herbs.

Illustrative Container Systems

FIG. 1 is an exploded view 100 of an illustrative container system 102. The container system includes a base 104, a lid 106, and an insert 108. The base 104 may include a sleeve 110. The lid 106 may include a threaded insert 112. The lid 106 may rotatably couple to the base 104. For example, the lid 106 may threadably couple to the base 104. The base 104 may be formed of metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, etc.), plastic, wood, composite, fiber, etc. The insert 108 may be formed of plastic (e.g., high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene high-density (PEHD), polyethylene thermoplastic, etc.). The insert 108 may be formed of metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, etc.), wood, composite, fiber, etc. The lid 106 may be formed of metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, etc.), plastic, wood, composite, fiber, etc.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view 200 of the container system 102 illustrated in FIG. 1 with the sleeve 110 fastened to the interior surface of the base 104 and the threaded insert 112 fastened to the inside surface of the lid 106. FIG. 2 illustrates the insert 108 removed from the base 104.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view 300 of the container system 102 illustrated in FIG. 1 with the insert 108 partially received in the base 104. The insert 108 may be removeably disposable in the base 104 such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insert 108 contacts the wall of the base 104.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view 400 of the container system 102 illustrated in FIG. 1 with the insert 108 removeably received in the base 104 such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insert 108 contacts the wall of the base 104.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view 500 of the insert 108, a first side view 502 of the insert 108, and a second side view 504 of the insert 108. The insert 108 includes a hole 506 that extends through a top 508 and a bottom 510 of the insert 108. The hole 506 interfaces with the bottom surface of the base 104 so as to define a first receptacle. A gasket may be disposed in the lid 106 for sealing the first receptacle. The insert 108 may include a plurality of gaps 512 in the exterior surface of the insert, the gaps 512 interfacing with the wall of the base 104 so as to define a plurality of second receptacles. A gasket may be disposed in the base 104 for sealing the plurality of second receptacles. When in a closed position, the lid 106 seals the first receptacle. When in a closed position, the lid 106 seals the plurality of second receptacles. The exterior surface 514 of the insert 108 extends continuously around a perimeter of the bottom of the insert so as to contact the wall of the base 104 continuously from a position below the gaps 512 to the bottom of the insert 108.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view 600 of the insert 108, a side view 602 of the insert 108, a top view 604 of the insert 108, and a perspective bottom view 606 of the insert 108. FIG. 6 illustrates the hole 506 extends through a top 508 and a bottom 510 of the insert 108. A cavity 608 may be arranged with the hole 506 proximate to the bottom of the insert 108. The cavity 608 may be arranged around the hole proximate to the bottom of the insert. The insert 108 may include a plurality of gaps 512 in the exterior surface of the insert, the gaps 512 interfacing with the wall of the base 104 so as to define a plurality of second receptacles.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view 700 of another embodiment of an insert 702, a first side view 704 of the insert 702, and a second side view 706 of the insert 702, and a top view 708 of the insert 702. The insert 702 may include the same features as insert 108. For example, the insert 702 may include the hole 506, and the plurality of gaps 512.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view 800 of another embodiment of a base 802, a side view 804 of the base 802, and a top view 806 of the base 802. The base 802 may include an insert 808 fixed in a top portion of the base 802. For example, the insert 808 may be press-fit, interference fit, friction fit, adheared in the base proximate to the top of the base 802. The insert 808 may include threads to threadably couple to a lid.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view 900 of another embodiment of a lid 902, a side view 904 of the lid 902, and a bottom view 906 of the lid 902. The lid 902 may include threads to threadably couple to a base.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded top-perspective view 1000, an exploded side-perspective view 1002, and an exploded bottom-perspective view 1004 of another embodiment of a container system 1006 according to the instant disclosure. The container system 1006 may include a base 1008, a lid 1010, and an insert 1012. The base 1008 may be the same as the base 104 illustrated in FIG. 1, or the base 1008 may be the same as the base 802 illustrated in FIG. 8. The lid 1010 may be the same as the lid 106 illustrated in FIG. 1 or the lid 1010 may be the same as the lid 902 illustrated in FIG. 9. The insert 1012 may be the same as the insert 108 illustrated in FIG. 1 or the insert 1012 may be the same as the insert 702 illustrated in FIG. 7.

The base 1008 may include a threaded portion 1014 that interfaces with a threaded portion 1016 of the insert 1012. For example, the base 1008 may include a first portion of a thread that interfaces with a second portion of a thread of the insert 1012. When the insert 1012 is disposed in the base 1008, the threaded portion 1014 mates with the threaded portion 1016, and the lid 1010 may threadably couple to the base 1008 via the mated thread portions 1014 and 1016.

The insert 1012 may include a first hole 1018 that extends through a top of the insert 1012 proximate to a center of the insert 1012 so as to define a first receptacle. The insert 1012 may include a second hole 1020 that extends through the top of the insert 1012 proximate to an outside perimeter of the insert 1012 so as to define a second receptacle. The insert 1012 may further include a plurality of holes that extend through the top of the insert 1012 proximate to the outside perimeter of the insert 1012 defining a plurality of second receptacles. The first receptacle may provide for containing a product (e.g., a finished product, a worked product, a processed product, etc.) and the one or more second receptacles may provide for containing one or more accessories. Note, a shape and sized of the one or more second receptacles may vary so as to accommodate a variety of differently shaped or sized accessories.

When the insert 1012 is removeably disposed in the base 1008, the bottom of the insert 1012 may be located a distance above the bottom surface of the base 1008 such that a product may be contained between the bottom of the insert 1012 and the bottom surface of the base 1008.

The container system 1006 may include a grinder 1022. The grinder 1022 may be removeably disposable in the first receptacle proximate to a top of the insert 1012. For example, a least a portion of the grinder 1022 may be removeably received by the first hole 1018. The grinder 1022 may provide for grinding a product. The grinder 1022 may grind the product into the first receptacle. As an example of the functionality of the disclosed subject matter, a user may remove a product, contained in the base 1008, and deposit the product in the grinder 1022. The user may then use the grinder 1022 to grind the product and deposit the ground product into the first receptacle. When the grinder 1022 is disposed in the first receptacle, the grinder 1022 may plug, cap, seal, cover, etc. the first hole 1018 to contain the ground product in the first receptacle until a time of use.

The container system 1006 may include a cover 1024. The cover 1024 may attach to a bottom of the insert 1012. The cover 1024 may provide for containing a desiccant (not shown) for controlling a humidity of the first receptacle or the second receptacle.

A mechanical seal 1026 may be disposable on a top of the base 1008 proximate to the threaded portion 1014 for sealing the first receptacle, the second receptacle, or the base 1008. For example, when the insert 1012 is disposed in the base 1008, and the lid 1010 is in a closed position, the lid 1010 may compress the mechanical seal 1026 and seal the first receptacle, the second receptacle, and the base 1008. The mechanical seal 1026 may include a gasket, an O-ring, etc. for sealing the first receptacle or the second receptacle.

One or more magnets 1028 may be disposed in the container system 106. The one or more magnets 1028 may provide for removeably coupling the container system 106 to a ferromagnetic material such as a metal member. While FIG. 10 illustrates the one or more magnets 1028 may be disposed with the wall of the base 1008, the one or more magnets 1028 may be disposed with the bottom surface of the base 1008. Moreover, while FIG. 10 illustrates the one or more magnets 1028 may be disposed with the base 1008, one or more magnets may be disposed with the lid 1010.

The container system 1006 may include a compass 1030. The compass 1030 may be disposed in the lid 1010. For example, the compass 1030 may be disposed in an exterior surface of the lid 1010. A handle 1032 may be disposed on the exterior surface of the lid 1010. While FIG. 10 illustrates the compass 1030 disposed in the lid 1010, the compass may be disposed in the base 1008. Further, while FIG. 10 illustrates the handle 1032 disposed on the exterior surface of the lid 1010, the handle may be disposed on the base 1008. A cover 1034 may be disposed on the compass 1030. For example, a transparent cover may be disposed on a top surface of the compass 1030.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded top-perspective view 1100 and an exploded side-perspective view 1102 of another embodiment of a container system 1104 according to the instant disclosure. The container system 1104 may include a base 1106, a lid 1108, and an insert 1110. The base 1106 may be the same as the base 104 illustrated in FIG. 1, the base 1106 may be the same as the base 802 illustrated in FIG. 8, or the base 1106 may be the same as the base 1008 illustrated in FGI. 10. The lid 1108 may be the same as the lid 106 illustrated in FIG. 1, the lid 1108 may be the same as the lid 902 illustrated in FIG. 9, or the lid 1108 may be the same as the lid 1010 illustrated in FIG. 10. The insert 1110 may be the same as the insert 108 illustrated in FIG. 1, the insert 1110 may be the same as the insert 702 illustrated in FIG. 7, or the insert 1110 may be the same as the insert 1012 illustrated in FIG. 10.

The container system 1104 may include a sleeve 1112. The sleeve 1112 may be fixed in the base 1106. While FIG. 11 illustrates the sleeve may be fixed in the base 1106, the sleeve 1112 may be removeably disposable in the base 1106. The sleeve 1112 may include a hole 1114 that extends through a top of the sleeve 1112 so as to define a receptacle. The insert 1110 may be removeably disposable in the receptacle of the sleeve 1112 such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insert 1110 contacts a portion of a wall of the sleeve 1112. When the insert 1110 is disposed in the sleeve 1112, the bottom of the insert 1110 may be located a distance above the bottom surface of the sleeve 1112. When the insert 1110 is disposed in the sleeve 1112, a product may be contained between the bottom of the insert 1110 and the bottom surface of the sleeve 1112.

The sleeve 1112 may include a threaded portion 1116 that interfaces with a threaded portion 1118 of the insert 1110. For example, the sleeve 1112 may include a first portion of a thread that interfaces with a second portion of a thread on the insert 1110. When the sleeve 1112 is fixed in the base 1106 and the insert 1110 is removeably disposed in the sleeve 1112, the threaded portion 1116 mates with the threaded portion 1118 and the lid 1108 may threadably couple to the base 1106 via the mated thread portions 1116 and 1118.

The container system 1104 may include a grinder 1120. The grinder 1120 may be the same as the grinder 1022 illustrated in FIG. 10. The grinder 1120 may provide for grinding a product and depositing the ground product into the first receptacle of the insert 1110.

The container system 1104 may include one or more magnets 1122. The one or more magnets 1122 may be the same as the one or more magnets 1028 illustrated in FIG. 10. The one or more magnets may be fixed to an outside surface of the wall of the sleeve 1112. When the sleeve 1112 is fixed in the base 1106, the one or magnets may be fixed between the outside surface of the wall of the sleeve 1112 and the inside surface of the wall of the base 1106. While FIG. 11 illustrates the one or more magnets 1122 may be fixed to an outside surface of the wall of the sleeve 1112, one or more magnets may be disposed with the base 1106. Moreover, while FIG. 11 illustrates the one or more magnets 1122 may be fixed to an outside surface of the wall of the sleeve 1112, one or more magnets may be disposed with the lid 1108.

The container system 1104 may include a mechanical seal 1124. The mechanical seal 1124 may be the same as the mechanical seal 1026 illustrated in FIG. 10. The mechanical seal 1124 may be disposable on top of the sleeve 1112 proximate to the threaded portion 1116 for sealing the first receptacle or the second receptacle. The mechanical seal 1124 may include a gasket, an O-ring, etc. for sealing the first receptacle or the second receptacle.

The container system 1104 may include a cavity disposed in the bottom of the sleeve and/or in the bottom of the insert 1110. The cavity may provide for containing a desiccant for controlling a humidity of the first receptacle and/or controlling a humidity of the second receptacle.

CONCLUSION

Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container system, comprising: a base including a bottom surface and a wall arranged around a perimeter of the bottom surface; a lid configured to cover the base; a first insert fixed in the base such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the first insert contacts the wall of the base, the first insert including a first hole that extends through a top of the first insert so as to define a first receptacle; and a second insert removeably disposable in the first receptacle of the first insert proximate to a top of the first receptacle such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the second insert contacts a portion of a wall of the first insert, the second insert including a second hole that extends through a top of the second insert so as to define a second receptacle.
 2. The container system of claim 1, wherein, in a closed position, the lid seals the first receptacle.
 3. The container system of claim 1, wherein, in a closed position, the lid seals the second receptacle.
 4. The container system of claim 1, further comprising a grinder mechanism removeably disposable in the second receptacle proximate to a top of the second insert.
 5. The container system of claim 1, wherein the second hole extends through the top of the second insert proximate to a center of the second insert so as to define the second receptacle, and the second insert further including a third hole that extends through the top of the second insert proximate to an outside perimeter of the second insert so as to define a third receptacle.
 6. The container system of claim 1, further comprising a gasket disposed on the base for sealing the first receptacle or the second receptacle.
 7. The container system of claim 1, wherein the lid rotatably couples to the first insert.
 8. The container system of claim 1, wherein the lid rotatably couples to the second insert.
 9. The container system of claim 1, wherein the lid rotatably couples to the first insert and to the second insert.
 10. The container system of claim 1, wherein the base is formed of metal, and the first insert is formed of plastic or the second insert is formed of plastic.
 11. An improvement for a container system including a base and a lid, the improvement for the container system comprising: a first insert fixed in the base such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the first insert contacts a wall of the base, the first insert including a first hole that extends through a top of the first insert so as to define a first receptacle; and a second insert removeably disposable in the first receptacle of the first insert proximate to a top of the first receptacle such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the second insert contacts a portion of a wall of the first insert, the second insert including a second hole that extends through a top of the second insert so as to define a second receptacle.
 12. The improvement for the container system of claim 11, further comprising a grinder mechanism removeably disposable in the second receptacle proximate to a top of the second insert.
 13. The improvement for the container system of claim 11, wherein the second hole extends through the top of the second insert proximate to a center of the second insert so as to define the second receptacle, and the second insert further including a third hole that extends through the top of the second insert proximate to an outside perimeter of the second insert so as to define a third receptacle.
 14. The improvement for the container system of claim 13, wherein the base is formed of metal, and the first insert is formed of plastic or the second insert is formed of plastic.
 15. The improvement for the container system of claim 11, wherein when the first insert is fixed in the base and the second insert is removeably disposed in the first receptacle of the first insert, and the lid is in a closed position, the lid seals the first receptacle and the second receptacle.
 16. The improvement for the container system of claim 11, wherein the first insert further includes a cavity disposed in a bottom of the first insert and arranged with the first receptacle, the cavity containing a desiccant for controlling a humidity of the first receptacle or the second receptacle.
 17. A container system, comprising: a base including a bottom surface and a wall arranged around a perimeter of the bottom surface; a lid configured to cover the base; an insert removeably disposable in the base such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insert contacts the wall of the base, the insert including: a first hole that extends through a top of the insert proximate to a center of the insert so as to define a first receptacle; and a second hole that extends through the top of the insert proximate to an outside perimeter of the insert so as to define a second receptacle.
 18. The container system of claim 17, further comprising a grinder mechanism removeably disposable in the first receptacle proximate to a top of the insert.
 19. The container system of claim 17, wherein when the insert is removeably disposed in the base, and the lid is in a closed position, the lid seals the first receptacle and the second receptacle.
 20. The container system of claim 17, further comprising a cover attached to a bottom of the insert, the cover containing a desiccant for controlling a humidity of the first receptacle or the second receptacle. 